A Toast to Her
Veuve Clicquot’s La Grande Dame 2018 arrives in New Zealand just in time for Mother’s Day, marked by an exclusive dining experience at Paris Butter. The limited edition collaboration with Simon Porte Jacquemus is introduced not simply as a bottle, but as an occasion in itself.
From 5 to 10 May, the cuvée will be available at the restaurant, culminating in a bookable Mother’s Day experience on 10 May. Designed with quiet elegance, the event brings together refined dining and thoughtful detail, with each guest invited to experience La Grande Dame 2018 within a setting that reflects the warmth and intimacy of the collaboration. A bouquet for each mother adds a gentle, celebratory gesture, reinforcing the spirit of the occasion.
First released in 2025 as the 25th vintage of this prestige cuvée, La Grande Dame 2018 is grounded in Veuve Clicquot’s enduring commitment to Pinot Noir. This philosophy, established by Madame Clicquot in the early nineteenth century, continues to shape the House’s approach, privileging finesse, structure and freshness. There is a clarity to the wine’s identity that feels both assured and enduring.
Mother’s Day bookings at Paris Butter are now open: Book here now
The collaboration with Jacquemus introduces a visual narrative that is at once nostalgic and contemporary. Veuve Clicquot’s iconic yellow, long associated with optimism and light, is reinterpreted through the designer’s distinctly personal lens, informed by the landscapes and atmosphere of southern France. The bottle is immediately recognisable, marked by an irregularly edged label embossed with sun rays and finished with a handwritten logo and signature.
A draped layer of white linen softens the form, evoking heirloom textiles that have been carefully washed and sun-dried. This detail offers a quiet reference to traditional methods once used to keep champagne cool during Mediterranean summers, while also lending the piece a tactile, almost sentimental quality. The accompanying gift box, wrapped in a toile du Marais fabric and finished with a ribbon that alternates between the Veuve Clicquot insignia and Jacquemus’s signature, further reinforces this dialogue between heritage and modern design.
Mother’s Day bookings at Paris Butter are now open: Book here now
At its core, the collaboration is shaped by a shared reverence for women. Madame Clicquot’s pioneering legacy continues to resonate, while Jacquemus’s work remains deeply influenced by the memory and strength of his mother. This alignment lends the project a sense of sincerity, grounding its visual charm in a more personal narrative.
Available locally through Normanby Fine Wines and its newly opened Wellington store, the release speaks to a growing appetite for objects that sit at the intersection of fashion, design and lifestyle. In the lead up to Mother’s Day, it offers a refined way to celebrate, pairing craftsmanship with meaning and elevating the ritual of gathering into something quietly memorable.
Mother’s Day bookings at Paris Butter are now open: Book here now
Mother’s Day bookings at Paris Butter are now open: Book here now
